Acanthoic acid inhibits melanogenesis through tyrosinase downregulation and melanogenic gene expression in B16 melanoma cells.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of acanthoic acid (ACAN), isolated from Acanthopanax koreanum, on melanogenesis and its related enzymes such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 in B16 melanoma cells. We found that ACAN significantly attenuates melanin synthesis and reduces the activity of intracellular tyrosinase, the rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme. Western blot analysis showed that ACAN also decreases tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 protein expression. In addition, ACAN significantly decreased the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a key regulator of melanogenesis. These results indicate that ACAN effectively inhibits melanin biosynthesis through down-regulation of MITF and thus could be useful as a new skin-whitening agent.

• Authors: Weon-Jong Yoon, Young-Min Ham, Hun Seok Yoon, Wook-Jae Lee, Nam Ho Lee, Chang-Gu Hyun
• Journal: Natural product communications (Nat Prod Commun) Vol. 8 Issue 10 Pg. 1359-62 (Oct 2013) ISSN: 1934-578X [Print] United States
• PMID: 24354173 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Diterpenes
• Melanins
• Skin Lightening Preparations
• acanthoic acid
• Monophenol Monooxygenase

Topics

• Animals
• Diterpenes (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Down-Regulation (drug effects)
• Eleutherococcus (chemistry)
• Gene Expression (drug effects)
• Melanins (biosynthesis)
• Melanocytes (drug effects)
• Melanoma, Experimental
• Mice
• Monophenol Monooxygenase (metabolism)
• Skin Lightening Preparations (isolation & purification, pharmacology)